More than eight in ten Ghanaian voters say the government’s failure to sign the controversial LGBTQ+ bill will directly shape how they vote in the 2028 general elections, a striking signal that the issue has moved from moral debate to political dealbreaker.
The finding emerges from a fresh survey by Africa Policy Lens (APL), a research outfit that polled 6,796 eligible voters across all 16 regions between April 9 and 11 using bulk SMS. The results paint a picture of mounting public frustration — and a clear warning to any party hoping to dodge the topic on the campaign trail.
Specifically, 80.7% of those surveyed said the government’s inaction on the bill would factor into their choice at the presidential ballot box. An even larger share — 85.2% — expressed open disappointment with the delay, while 86.4% said they feel actively misled by how authorities have handled LGBTQ+ matters. The bill cleared Parliament but remains unsigned, leaving it in a political limbo that has drawn criticism from religious coalitions demanding action and international observers urging caution.
When asked what citizens should do about the stalemate, a majority offered a blunt answer: change the government. Some 57.5% of respondents said voting the current administration out is the appropriate response, while 29.3% called for ramped-up public pressure and street protests. Just 6.8% felt no action was needed at all. “This suggests there’s a real accountability mechanism being activated,” said Dr Hayford Mensah Ayerakwa, APL’s Director of Research and Administration, noting that many voters now treat the bill as a litmus test for government credibility.
The geographic breakdown adds another layer. Greater Accra posted the highest response rate at 23.3%, with the Ashanti Region following at 14.8% — an indication that urban populations are paying closest attention. These are also the country’s two most vote-rich regions, meaning politicians who ignore the sentiment there do so at considerable electoral risk.
For President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, the survey arrives at an uncomfortable moment. The government already faces public scrutiny over economic management and governance expectations that many feel remain unmet. Adding an energised electorate that views the unsigned bill as a broken promise compounds the pressure significantly. Opposition strategists, meanwhile, will likely see the data as an invitation to place the LGBTQ+ question at the centre of their 2028 playbook.
Two years is a long time in Ghanaian politics, but if these numbers hold, whichever party finds the courage — or the calculation — to own this issue decisively may hold the key to Jubilee House.
Source: MyJoyOnline
